The Romanian Army will be equipped with H215 Airbus helicopters, manufactured at IAR Brasov

By Edwig Ban

Romania will purchase helicopters the H 215 model from Airbus, but they will be produced in Brasov and will endow the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mihai Fifor, Minister of National Defense announced on Wednesday.
"We had a meeting on Monday with the representatives of Airbus at the headquarters of the Government, together with the Prime Minister Mihai Tudose. This was a discussion of Romania's partnership with Airbus through IAR Braşov regarding the number of helicopters who will equip the Romanian Armed Forces as well as with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We want the partner companies to invest in the Romanian defense industry, not just to sell equipment in Romania. I believe that this partnership, for more than 40 years, that Romania has with Airbus now materializes through this acquisition of helicopters, but they will be produced on the line of the Aeronautical Enterprise-IAR from Brasov, "Fifor said.
Asked when the order could be given, the Minister of Defense said that the Romanian side will make the first part of the contract this year. Minister Fifor said that the production line for the H 215 model from IAR Brasov is due to become operational in 2018.